The English Renaissance is exactly what it sounds like. It was a renaissance that included many English authors. These authors were extremely important based on their own merit, but would remain staples in classic literature. After years of reading literature being relegated to the Church, authors began to engage in a large amount of literary work. The renaissance also featured a view of man in the in image of God, which created an optimistic outlook of humanity. Much like other renaissances, the English Renaissance left an indelible mark on history and the future of the written word.